Higher Education Institutions In Gurugram To Shift To Online Mode Amid 'Severe' Pollution

All higher education institutions (including private) in Gurugram have been directed to shift to online mode until further notice due to 'severe' pollution.

In view of the severe pollution levels in National Capital Region, the Director of Higher Education, Haryana has instructed all higher education institutions in Gurugram to shift to online mode until further notice.

The notification was issued by Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram Ajay Kumar for all private and government institutions.

"In view of above, all the Higher Education institutions (including private institution) of District Gurugram are hereby directed to ensure the discontinutaion of physical classes and will go for online mode of classes till further order," the order read.

As of 11:30 PM on November 21, the air quality index of Gurugram stood at 206, which is termed "very unhealthy".

On November 19, schools in all eight districts of western Uttar Pradesh, which come under the NCR were ordered to switch to online mode of classes due to the air pollution. The districts where physical classes were suspended include Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Baghpat, Hapur, Muzaffarnagar, and Shamli.

On Wednesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and mandated the closure of schools in Delhi and NCR districts under Stages 3 and 4 of the plan.

Previously, the state governments had the option to decide whether to suspend physical classes for the students up to Class 5 and switch to online learning under the GRAP Stage 3. They also had the option to halt in-person classes for classes 6 to 9 and 11 under Stage 4. 

However, the revised GRAP has made these measures mandatory to be implemented across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar.